The FBI announced a $50,000 reward Thursday for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance, marking a significant escalation in a case that has gripped the nation for five days.
Guthrie, 84, the mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has not been seen since the evening of January 31, when her son-in-law dropped her off at her Tucson, Arizona home after a family dinner. She was reported missing the following day after failing to show up for church, triggering what has become one of the most closely watched missing persons investigations in recent memory.
FBI Deploys Quantico Teams, Warns Imposters
FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke confirmed during a Thursday press conference that the bureau is now working the case jointly with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, deploying resources that signal how seriously federal authorities are treating the situation.
“The FBI has agents, analysts and professional staff employees working day and night with our partners at the sheriff’s department,” Janke said. “We have deployed additional intelligence and agents from our Phoenix office. We have brought in our Critical Incident Response Group from Quantico, Virginia.”
The deployment of the Critical Incident Response Group, the FBI’s specialized unit that handles kidnappings, hostage situations, and other high-stakes crises, underscores the gravity of the investigation. Janke also confirmed that members of the Cellular Analysis Survey Team are on the ground collecting and processing digital information.
In a pointed message, the FBI also warned individuals attempting to exploit the case. “My next message is to those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation. We will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions,” Janke said, confirming that one arrest has already been made in connection with an imposter ransom demand. A complaint is expected to be presented to a magistrate judge later today.
What Happened At Nancy Guthrie’s Home
The timeline that has emerged is chilling in its precision. Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on January 31 after being dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. She lived alone.
At 2:12 a.m. on February 1, software on a camera at the home detected a person, though no video footage is available because there was no active subscription service. Sixteen minutes later, at 2:28 a.m., her pacemaker app detected a disconnect from her phone. Those two data points have become critical markers in the investigation’s timeline.
When deputies arrived at the home after the family’s 911 call on February 1, they found her wallet and vehicle still at the residence. Blood stains on the front porch, later confirmed through expedited DNA testing to belong to Guthrie, along with other concerning evidence inside the home led authorities to classify this as a crime scene almost immediately.
“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News earlier in the week. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
During Thursday’s press conference, Nanos pushed back on several widely circulated reports, telling reporters he could not confirm reports that a doorbell camera was smashed or that there were signs of forced entry. “I have no clue where that came from,” the sheriff said.
Ransom Notes And An Arrest
The investigation has been complicated by multiple alleged ransom notes sent to media outlets this week. At least three organizations, including TMZ, Tucson affiliate KOLD, and KGUN, reported receiving communications demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Guthrie’s safe return. The notes reportedly contained details about the crime scene that would seemingly only be known to someone with direct knowledge of what happened.
KOLD anchor Mary Coleman told CNN that information in the email her station received would only be known by “someone holding [Guthrie] for ransom,” including specific details about items at the home and what Guthrie was or was not wearing. The notes included deadlines and specific Bitcoin wallet addresses.
Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the notes, but Sheriff Nanos said earlier this week he was “absolutely not” dismissing them. Investigators shared the notes with the Guthrie family. The FBI’s arrest of an individual for an imposter ransom demand suggests at least some of the communications were opportunistic fraud rather than legitimate contact from whoever took Guthrie.
A Family’s Desperate Plea
On Wednesday evening, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings Annie and Camron posted an emotional video to Instagram directly addressing whoever may be holding their mother. The plea was gut-wrenching in its directness.
“We, too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media. As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk,” Savannah Guthrie said. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive, and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”
The family described Nancy as someone in “constant pain” who needs her medication to prevent suffering and to survive. She is currently without that medication, according to Sheriff Nanos. CNN senior law enforcement analyst Andrew McCabe, the former deputy director of the FBI, noted Thursday that “the clock is ticking here because the victim is so uniquely vulnerable due to her age, due to her physical ailments.”
Investigation Status And What Comes Next
Sheriff Nanos told reporters Thursday that “right now, we believe Nancy is still out there,” while acknowledging the investigation has entered what he described as a waiting phase as lab results continue to come in. Some DNA testing has been expedited, but additional items submitted for analysis have not yet returned results.
Nanos activated the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, a coalition of law enforcement agencies across the Tucson valley including the Tucson Police Department, Pascua Yaqui Police, and Pima College Police, to bolster investigative resources. No suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday that he has spoken with Savannah Guthrie and is directing “ALL Federal Law Enforcement” to assist in the search. FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly receiving personal updates on the case.
Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil in Tucson on Wednesday night, a show of community support for a woman neighbors describe as sharp, kind, and deeply rooted in the area. Nancy Guthrie is described as 5-foot-5, 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. It is unknown what she was wearing when she disappeared.
Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900. The anonymous tip line, 88-CRIME, has already received more than 100 tips from the public.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.